the tween would like this race.

Dawn, a fitness friend, posted something about The Great Pumpkin Run many weeks ago. I decided that I had the extra cash--at that point -- and I'd do the race. It was cross country so that is always fun. I was worried about mud, but it was nice all week. So imagine my dismay when it was raining this morning. Really? We need rain, badly, but did it have to rain today?

Packet pick up was at a tavern in Mertztown last night. I didn't go because I really didn't think it was worth the extra hour of travel. I was so wrong.

The event was held at Savidge Farms in Mertztown as part of their Autumn Festival. The festival has all the usual suspect, corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, ect. The run was a new addition. Three thousand participants were expected and they were running in waves. I was in the 9:30 wave. My sister decided to ride along, so we left at 8 am. It's about 35 minutes to Mertztown. I should have gotten there shortly after 8:30, with plenty of time for packet pick up. Wrong again. We arrived at the farm and the traffic was bumper to bumper into the parking areas. It took 30 minutes to park the car. When I arrived at the barn for check-in the line went down and back up. It took 25 minutes to get thru the line. I made it to the start with about a minute to spare.

 First we serpentined thru the pumpkin patches. What I found interesting was that the pumpkins were  different kinds. Whites next to yellows, next to hubbards, next to the ones covered with bumps.

Then it was around a cornfield to the road we came in on. The volunteer at the road stopped us to let cars go. I was infuriated. That means I do not return to this race...no matter how much fun it is. We crossed the road and followed a path next to the woods to another set of corn fields, and then another pumpkin patch, and around the parking lot. Then we returned to the road. The volunteer there was smart. He held the traffic, and left one car at a time go when there was a break in the people.

 After we crossed the street we entered the corn maze. Thankfully it was a very winding path back to the finish. All the "wrong" openings were tied off. No one was getting lost. I finished in 58:36 and was 19th in my age group. No bad considering it was cross country and the roads were muddy and there were gullies.

 This is my finish picture. I love this outfit. (Time to get shallow.) The skirt/pant thing is from a place called Happy Puppies and they make athletic wear for skinny and fat people. WITH POCKETS. Really, sizes go from a 2 to a 30! The top is old. I bought the skirt/pant on clearance in March and didn't wear it because I thought I ordered the crop length pant to cover my ugly knees. It was way to hot. Imagine my surprise when I finally opened them that they were knee length. I wore them anyway. They are so comfy I don't want to take them off. I want to order a half dozen of them. Plut Happy Puppy is expensive. Even on the clearance pile. It's not happening. Oh, did I mention they are made in America with American fabric?

Here's my shirt. It's a hoodie with a zipper made out of that wicking fabric. There is a jack-o'lantern face on the front, and a stem on the hood. Advertising on the back. Clearly this has about a 3 week shelf life. You'd look silly wearing it in November. It will become a layering piece during the winter. Safely hidden under something else. Only the stem will give it away. The medal has been put away in the medal box.